The year was 1984 and Van Halen was on top of the world. Their album release, also titled “1984,” skyrocketed in record sales and the popular songs “Jump”, “Panama”, and “Hot for Teacher” solidified Van Halen as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. The previous songs with even earlier hits “Running with the Devil”, and “Dance the Night Away” among others led this band to the top. These songs are also a staple of the Van Halen Guitar Hero game, which I used to play when the band games reigned supreme. Van Halen (until 1985) consisted of two brothers, Alex (drums) and Eddie (lead guitar) Van Halen, bassist Michael Anthony and flamboyant front man and singer David Lee Roth. Success seemed to get to the band and created a rift among all the members and in 1985, Roth walked away.
Jump 28 years to the present and Van Halen recently released their first album with David Lee Roth since the breakup. This is the same man who helped lead Van Halen’s charge to the top of the rock-n-roll mountain in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Between 1985 and 1998, Van Halen was led by Sammy Hagar, while Roth went on to a solo career. I personally didn’t know what the 2012 “A Different Kind of Truth” album would offer, but I was very interested in finding out.
The first track, “Tattoo,” is also the first single from this album. It is a throwback to their 1980’s sound with a modern touch, and includes a killer guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen. The next two tracks offer much the same classic sound, but provide an even deeper approach to the modern style in music. The tracks “China Town”, “Bullethead,” and “Honeybabysweetiedoll” are fast-paced and provide deep sounds. Meanwhile, the tracks “Blood and Fire” and “Big River” provide deep lyrics and are easy to listen to. This is the best strength of the  album, while I don’t find any major weaknesses to “A Different Kind of Truth.” One thing is guaranteed: Van Halen offers signatures and variety to each track, which makes for easy listening.
Simply put, the new album brings it. New or old listeners of Van Halen will have at least one favorite song memorized. Mine is “Tattoo”. Van Halen collaborate heavy guitar solos, consistent sounds of drums and bass, and the melodic yet eccentric screams of David Lee Roth. I say: GO BUY this CD or Mp3. Even if you don’t like it, you can always re-gift to your mom or dad, or your crazy not-out-of-the-80’s uncle Danny.